Chuck Swindoll
says, “Several years ago a man told me that his first contact with a Christian
was so offensive he “never wanted to hear about Jesus again.” He said
the person who witnessed to him had bad breath and body odor, never once smiled,
was dressed in clothing completely out of date, and angrily closed his remarks
with, ‘Don’t blame Jesus if you go to hell.’
“Meanwhile,
I’ve just finished reading the account in First Kings where God worked through
Solomon in the building of the temple. What quality! What attention to details!
What exacting requirements! What fabulous beauty! No one could ever say that
God didn’t care how attractive His workmanship was. All you have to do is look
at the beauty and intricacy of the world He created.
“As Christians,
we represent the magnificent King of kings. So does our church. We may not have
a fortune, but whatever we do or build or sing or print or teach or type or
promote or present certainly ought to be attractive and appealing. The same
is true for us individually. Our wardrobe may be limited, but it can always
be neat and clean. We Christians have enough barriers to overcome in this society
without increasing the friction by sloppy dress, poor workmanship, and offensive
habits that repel rather than attract.
“Let’s not
change our message. But it will be worth it to change our appearance from the
ugly duckling to the swan. We are His workmanship, and all we do should reflect
that beauty and grace.”
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From Dallas Seminary
Daily Devotional, 4/2/04
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